Fingerhutmuseum
Private specialist museum in the Herrgottstal valley near Creglingen, with over 4,000 thimbles and sewing items from around the world. Visits by prior appointment only.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fingerhutmuseum was opened on August 8, 1982 by Thorvald and Brigitte Greif in an old grain mill in the Herrgottstal valley, initially with about 800 exhibits. It considers itself the only specialist museum of its kind in the world and is run as a private museum.
The foundation of the collection is the estate of the Gabler brothers of Schorndorf, which Helmut Greif took over in 1963. In 1824, Ferdinand Gabler had established himself as a thimble manufacturer and developed a machine for rolling thimbles; his business grew into an important specialist factory that at times supplied a large share of world demand. After a fire, production ended, and Helmut Greif turned to researching the origins of the thimble. His growing collection eventually led to the founding of the museum.
Today the exhibition comprises over 4,000 exhibits from all continents: thimbles, tools and sewing items from antiquity to the present, from simple everyday objects to valuable decorative thimbles, in many shapes and materials, including Meissen porcelain and crocheted examples. In the family's own goldsmith workshop, collectors' thimbles are still made in small batches and as one-offs.
Highlights
- Over 4,000 thimbles and sewing items from around the world
- From antiquity to the present day
- Thimbles of Meissen porcelain and crocheted thimbles
- Special guided tour of the collection
- Museum shop with collectors' thimbles from the in-house goldsmith workshop
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Privatmuseum der Familie Greif
Admission & discounts
| Groups (11+ people) | €2.50 per personPer person from 11 people |
|---|---|
| Flat rate for 1 to 10 people, including a special guided tour | €25The tour lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. |
| Historical introduction for groups (in German) | €10Short introduction to the history of the thimble |
There is no individual price for single visitors; admission is charged as a flat rate for up to ten people.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is about one kilometer outside Creglingen in the Herrgottstal valley, opposite the Herrgottskirche on the Romantic Road between Bad Mergentheim and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop with collectors' thimbles; the silver thimbles are made in the goldsmith workshop in the same building.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The flat rate includes a special guided tour (about 45 to 60 minutes). In German, a short introduction to the history of the thimble, from the time of the Neanderthals to the present, is available on request. |
Museums nearby
Herrgottskirche
Jüdisches Museum Creglingen
Museum "Vom Kloster zum Dorf"
Flachsbrechhütte Burgstall
Weinmuseum Röttingen
Museum „Dorfarrest“ Wildentierbach
All 6 museums in Creglingen All museums in Baden-Württemberg